Research crucial to the success of fishing industry

By Philip MwakioThe Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) will send its technical team abroad in search of a Sh700 million research vessel.The ship is expected to help in the collection of crucial marine data for better management of fisheries and the marine environment."Such research is vital as it would go a long way in addressing food insecurity in the country,’’ said Dr Johnson Kazungu, the KMFRI director. Speaking on the sidelines of the 7th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association scientific symposium in Mombasa, whose theme is Coping with Global Change, Dr Kazungu said the Government had already released the first tranche of Sh107 million.Kazungu, however, conceded that sea piracy remained a major challenge to off-shore research activities.Addressing over 500 delegates who attended the symposium, Fisheries Development Minister Amason Kingi said the Government had received Sh3.6 billion to implement the Kenya Coastal Development Project.The project will support the development of the fisheries sector and create economic opportunities for coastal communities.The project, which started in June, this year, will run for six years."Research will be key to informing management actions for the success of this important project," Kingi said, adding that a supportive legal and policy framework was also critical in management of coastal and marine resources.Fishing policy"Towards this end, the Government has developed a National Oceans and Fisheries Policy, which recognises the potential of the sea and the role of research in harnessing opportunities in this area."Kingi said an Ocean and Fisheries Bill was currently before Cabinet, which when enacted would oversee the development of the fisheries sector.He challenged delegates at the meeting to engage in innovative research that would support the development and implementation of practical climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies to support management of coastal and marine resources.Fisheries PS, Prof Ntiba Micheni, decried the perception that African scientists had become more of publishers."Science must be seen in the development of the society we all live in. When science and its results are not seen, our legacy would remain queried,’’ Micheni said.

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